Show latest news, more from September 2005.
Arts Council England helps get children writing
The Arts Council England, in association with popular BBC children's television programme Blue Peter, has launched a national children’s writing competition. The competition aims to get more children writing as well as provide support for this year's Blue Peter Appeal (an annual request for donations in support of a number of good causes). Seven of the country's most well-known writers, playwrights and illustrators have penned the opening paragraph for a story, picture story or play, and entrants are invited to choose one or more to develop into a work of their own. The seven winning stories will be illustrated by renowned artist Quentin Blake and published in a book that will be sold in aid of the 2005 Blue Peter Appeal. In addition the winners will each receive a laptop computer and an invitation to participate in a writing workshop with author David Wood. Arts Council England’s Chief Executive Peter Hewitt said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to discover new young talent. Blue Peter is such a long-standing favourite with children and the Arts Council are thrilled to be working with them to inspire kids and give them the chance to work with some of the country’s best writers.” Blue Peter Editor Richard Marson said: “We know that Blue Peter viewers love books from the success of our Book Club but now we want to see how they cope with the challenge of coming up with their own story or play. The top class writers we are working with represent a range of styles and we hope there will be something there to stimulate imaginations across the age range of our viewers.” The competition was devised by the Arts Council’s Theatre, Literature, Children (TLC) initiative. It is one of several projects which aim 'to develop writing opportunities for children and raise the profile of children's work more generally.' For further information, CLICK HERE
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >